Destinations

Top Five Places to Photograph in Each State (L – M)

There are great places for landscape photography all over the United States, and here you’ll find a list of the top 5 locations in each state, plus you’ll see a link to where you find even more great locations in each state. The list is broken into a few different pages because of size. Below you’ll find the states starting with L – M, links to the other pages are below:

Louisiana

Lake Martin
Beautiful lake and swamp lands in southern Louisiana.

Photo by Chris Litherland / CC BY-SA 3.0

Chicot Lake State Park
Man-made lake with hiking trails and plenty to photograph.

Photo by Richard May / CC BY-SA 2.0

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Six different units including the swamps of the Bataria Preserve.

Photo by Ken Lund / CC BY-SA 2.0

Clear Lake
Clear Lake and Black Lake in northern Louisiana are great for photographing cypress trees.

Photo by Michael McCarthy / CC BY-ND 2.0

Honey Island Swamp
Amazing swamp northeast of New Orleans. Boat tours are available.

Photo by Paul Mannix / CC BY 2.0

Maine

Acadia National Park
Beautiful rocky coastline, mountains, lakes, and woods. The 27-mile Park Loop Road is a highlight.

Photo by Kim Carpenter / CC BY 2.0

Baxter State Park
Amazing wilderness area in northern Maine with a dirt road and several hiking trails.

Photo by Elizabeth Byrd Wood / CC BY-SA 2.0

Screw Auger Falls
Beautiful waterfall in Grafton Notch State Park.

Photo by Doug Kerr / CC BY-SA 2.0

Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land
Wilderness area with trails and beautiful coastal views.

Photo by gao1jie2ke3 / CC BY-SA 2.0

Portland Head Light
Famous lighthouse on picturesque rocky coast.

Photo by Rapidfire / CC BY-SA 3.0

Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park
Gorges, forests, and beautiful waterfalls at this western Maryland park.

Photo by Nicolas Raymond / CC BY-SA 3.0

Rocks State Park
Home of Kilgore Falls and a large rock outcropping called the King & Queen Seat.

Photo by Mark S / CC BY 2.0

Catoctin Mountain Park
Woods and mountains with some scenic overlooks and a trail that leads to Cunningham Falls.

Photo by TrailVoice / CC BY-SA 2.0

Susquehanna State Park
Features a waterfall, grist mill, and the Susquehanna River.

Photo by Nicolas Raymond / CC BY-SA 3.0

Patapsco Valley State Park
Features 30+ miles of the Patapsco River, waterfalls, streams, and plenty of hiking trails.

Photo by Nicolas Raymond / CC BY-SA 3.0

Massachusetts

Gay Head Lighthouse and Cliffs
Beautiful clay cliffs on the island of Martha’s Vineyard.

Photo by m01229 / CC BY 2.0

Bash Bish Falls State Park
This western Massachusetts park is home of a 200-foot cascading waterfall.

Photo by Tom Walsh / CC BY-SA 2.0

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Coastal refuge accessible by Refuge Drive.

Photo by Matt Poole / CC BY 2.0

Mount Greylock State Reserve
The highest point in the state with great views of the Berkshires.

Photo by Andrew K. Smith / CC BY 2.0

Doanes Falls
Series of five waterfalls accessible by a short, steep trail.

Photo by Dorothy Miller / CC BY-ND 2.0

Michigan

Isle Royale National Park
Island on Lake Superior  that must be reached by boat or plane, with a beautiful coast.

Photo by Ray Dumas / CC BY-SA 2.0

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Miles of beautiful coastline on the Upper Peninsula with cliffs, archways, and waterfalls.

Photo by Mark Stacey / CC BY 2.0

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
On the shores of Lake Michigan with high bluffs, beaches, and sand dunes.

Photo by Rod / CC BY-ND 2.0

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Old-growth forest, lakes, and rivers on the Upper Peninsula.

Photo by Jim Sorbie / CC BY 2.0

Bond Falls State Scenic Site
Picturesque 50-foot waterfall on the Upper Peninsula.

Photo by Tony Faiola / CC BY 2.0

Minnesota

Voyaguers National Park
Close to the Canadian border with most of the park being accessible only by boat.

Photo by jck_photos / CC BY 2.0

Gooseberry Falls State Park
On the shores of Lake Superior with three significant and beautiful waterfalls.

Photo by Anita Ritenour / CC BY 2.0

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
A short drive from Gooseberry Falls, this park is home to a scenic lighthouse atop a cliff.

Photo by Matthew / CC BY 2.0

Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Also along the shore of Lake Superior, this park features rock formations and waterfalls.

Photo by Dan / CC BY-ND 2.0

Pipestone National Monument
Beautiful rock formations in southwestern Minnesota.

Photo by Brian Jeffery Beggerly / CC BY 2.0

Mississippi

Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
Lakes and wetlands that are a resting area for migratory birds.

Photo by Eddie Harsh / CC BY 2.0

Natchez Trace
Historic trail now mirrored by the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Photo by Jan Kronsell / Public Domain

Gulf Islands National Seashore
Multiple units in southern MS and FL, with the Davis Bayou Area being the most accessible.

Photo by NPS / CC BY-ND 2.0

Ocean Springs
Beautiful beach town along the gulf coast.

Photo by Adrianna Battista / CC BY 2.0

Tishomingo State Park
Rocky area features the Bear Creek Canyon and cliffs.

Photo by Brad Kebodeaux / CC BY-ND 2.0

Missouri

Ha Ha Tanka State Park
Features great overlooks and the ruins of a stone mansion.

Photo by Heath Cajandig / CC BY 2.0

Elephant Rocks State Park
Large boulders in the Saint Francois Mountains.

Photo by Fredlyfish4 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
The river cascades over rocks in this popular recreation area.

Photo by Keith Yahl / CC BY 2.0

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Home to the highest point and highest waterfall in the state.

Photo by Keith Yahl / CC BY 2.0

Castlewood State Park
Overlooks and views of the Meramec River.

Photo by Good Free Photos / Public Domain

Montana

Glacier National Park
Paradise for the landscape photographer with mountains, lakes, glaciers, and wildlife.

Photo by skeeze / CC0

Upper Missouri River Breaks
Beautiful bluffs along the river in this remote location.

Photo by Bob Wicks / CC BY 2.0

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Beautiful remote canyon area in both Montana and Wyoming.

Photo by Anna-Katharina Stöcklin / CC BY-SA 3.0

Paradise Valley
Scenic valley north of Yellowstone that can be experienced from the Paradise Valley Scenic Loop.

Photo by Tim Gage / CC BY-SA 2.0

Beartooth Highway
Scenic, winding mountain road that leads to Yellowstone.

Photo by Acroterion / CC BY-SA 3.0

Loaded Landscapes

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